June 12: Nigerians Challenge Tinubu To Tackle Insecurity As President Promises Delivery Of Democratic Dividends

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has assured Nigerians that his administration will fulfill electoral promises made to them.

The president spoke on the occasion to mark Democracy Day, in remembrance of the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by late Chief Moshood Kashimaro Abiola.

Former President Muhammadu Buhari, on July 6, 2018, approved June 12 as a national holiday in appreciation of the sacrifice made by the late business mogul and other democracy activists who died under the repressive regime of military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha.

President Tinubu made the assurance a few days after he took over power as the nation’s leader on May 29, from Muhammadu Buhari.

His election is still being contested by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, LP.

The duo has approached the Election Petition Tribunal to challenge the results declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, that Tinubu won the keenly contested election.

“On this year’s Democracy Day, I enjoin us all to rededicate ourselves to strengthening this form of government of free peoples that has been our guiding light these past 24 years. In particular, those of us who have been privileged to be elected into public offices at various levels in both the executive and legislative arms of government must recommit ourselves to offering selfless service to the people, and delivering concrete democracy dividends in accordance with our electoral promises,” Tinubu said on Monday.

Meanwhile, some Nigerians in their reactions to the president’s speech have urged him to deal with the problem of insecurity across the country without further delay.

For instance, they cited the gruesome killing of people in Plateau state by foreigners in the last few days.

Speaking about the killing in the state, a member of the House of Representatives from the state, Solomon Marren, claimed that close to 200 people have been killed so far.

Marren, who is representing Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency, called for the quick government intervention.

He said , “I find it expedient at this time to intimate the world on the unfortunate happenings in my constituency, Mangu/Bokkos Federal Constituency, Plateau state, in the last two days, where over 100 persons, most of them women and children, have been massacred and butchered in cold blood by terrorist during an overnight unprovoked attack, and their houses burnt down, including food stuffs, food barns and seedlings.

“These killings are one among many in the constituency, where over 200 persons have been killed in the last four months before this one.

“The government may claim to be doing its best but its best is not good enough, since it is not able to stop the killings in years. However, I commend the few gallant officers working without sufficient arms, yet gave themselves to save lives.

“The responsibilities lies in the President to first condemn the dastard act, which we expect him to do so, and immediately go ahead to protect lives and properties which is the primary responsibility of the government. Therefore, I urge the President to order the security agencies to move into the area with immediate effect to curb the killings.”